Pakistan shines at IADR 2025 as UOL researcher Dr Aqsa Arif wins Hatton Award

LAHORE: Pakistan’s dental research community earned international acclaim as Dr Aqsa Arif, a researcher from the University College of Medicine and Dentistry (UCMD), The University of Lahore (UOL), won the prestigious IADR Hatton Award 2025 at the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Pakistan Section.

The Hatton Award — widely regarded as the world’s highest distinction in dental research — recognizes outstanding young investigators for their scientific contributions to global oral health. Dr Aqsa’s achievement places Pakistan among countries leading innovation in evidence-based dental science.

Research focused on natural therapeutics for oral mucositis

Dr Aqsa’s award-winning presentation explored natural therapeutic alternatives to mitigate chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis, a painful and common complication faced by cancer patients during treatment.

Her research contributes significantly to the broader field of oral medicine and pharmacological innovation, offering promising insights into safer, plant-based approaches to oral mucosal protection.

The study was conducted under the supervision of Dr Khadija Mastoor, Head of the Department of Pharmacology at UCMD, UOL, whose mentorship and institutional support played a pivotal role in shaping the project’s success.

Competing with top medical institutions across Pakistan

At the IADR Pakistan Section, Dr Aqsa competed against outstanding candidates from Aga Khan University, Khyber Medical University, Baqai Medical College, and Texila Medical College, before securing the top honour. Her win underscores UOL’s growing stature as one of Pakistan’s leading centres for research excellence in dentistry and allied sciences.

Representing Pakistan on the global stage

Following her national win, Dr Aqsa Arif will now represent Pakistan and The University of Lahore at the IADR General Assembly 2026 in San Diego, USA — a fully funded opportunity supported by the International Association for Dental Research (IADR).

This milestone marks Pakistan’s growing participation in international scientific dialogue and showcases the country’s capacity to contribute impactful, peer-recognized research in oral and dental health.

A milestone for Pakistan’s dental research community

The IADR Hatton Award win reflects a collective advancement for Pakistan’s dental academia. It demonstrates the increasing global visibility of Pakistani researchers, institutions, and scientific collaborations, especially in areas like pharmacological research, oral pathology, and integrative therapeutics.

Faculty members at UOL congratulated Dr Aqsa and Dr Khadija Mastoor for this remarkable achievement, highlighting that such recognitions not only uplift institutional reputation but also inspire future scholars to pursue high-impact, globally competitive research.

About IADR and the Hatton Award

Founded in 1920, the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) is the world’s largest body dedicated to advancing dental, oral, and craniofacial research. The Edward H. Hatton Award is considered the highest honour for emerging dental scientists globally, with one winner selected at each country’s level to compete internationally.